The Good Character Standard in Australia’s Migration System
When people think about applying for an Australian visa, they usually focus on eligibility, documents, and timelines, however one of the most important factors to be aware of is the character test, as this will form the foundation for whether your visa application will be rejected or not. The character test is a mandatory […]
Understanding IBAC: Victoria’s Anti-Corruption Body
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is Victoria’s primary anti-corruption body, responsible for investigating serious corruption and police misconduct in the public sector. Whilst it is often associated with high-profile investigations, IBAC plays a broader and ongoing role in maintaining integrity, accountability and public confidence in government and regulatory decision-making. For clients interacting with […]
Vorchheimer v Tayeh: Victoria’s Discrimination Laws in Practice
In Vorchheimer v Tayeh [2026] VCAT 134, VCAT looks at where the line sits between political expression and unlawful conduct, and how those competing principles play out in practice. Whilst Australia recognises an implied constitutional freedom of political communication, that protection is not absolute. It operates alongside a statutory framework aimed at preventing discrimination […]
Warlows Expands Into Immigration law
Warlows Legal is thrilled to announce our expansion into immigration law as a new practice area of the firm. This marks an exciting step in the firm’s continued growth, allowing us to support individuals, families and businesses navigating Australia’s complex migration system. Immigration law is often high-stakes and deeply personal, and we are proud to […]
Choosing the Right Forum for Building Disputes: BAB, BPC or VCAT?
Before turning to the minutiae of a case, the first critical question in any building dispute where ADR or dispute resolution is sought is identifying the appropriate forum in which to bring the claim. Different forums exist for different purposes. Some are designed for regulatory review, others for early conciliation, interim payment recovery, or […]
Q&A: Navigating Forum Selection in Victorian Construction Disputes
Introduction Forum selection in Victorian construction disputes has become increasingly complex, with recent appellate decisions reshaping traditional pathways and creating real strategic risk for practitioners. In this Q&A, Harriet Warlow-Shill, founder of Warlows Legal, shares practical insights drawn from her experience advising clients on construction disputes and determining the most appropriate forum. She addresses key […]
Insolvent Trading: The Hidden Risk Every Company Director Should Understand
For many businesses, financial distress doesn’t arrive dramatically. It creeps in quietly – a late tax bill here, a supplier asking for cash on delivery there, that uneasy feeling that cash flow keeps slipping out of reach. It’s in these moments, often before a company formally collapses, that the law steps in with one of the […]
Equality Australia and the Boundaries of Public Benevolent Institutions
Equality Australia Ltd and Commissioner of the ACNC [2023] AATA 2161 (30 June 2023) Equality Australia Ltd v Commissioner of the ACNC [2024] FCAFC 115 (5 September 2024) Equality Australia Ltd v Commissioner of the ACNC [2024] FCAFC 115 (5 September 2024) (Equality Australia v ACNC) looks at a key but often overlooked decision in Australian charity […]
My Neighbour Has Commenced Fencing Works Without my Consent – What Do I Do?
Nothing is more frustrating than glancing out your window and realising your neighbour has begun fencing works on the boundary line, without ever speaking to you about it. Whilst this can feel confrontational, Victorian law provides clear rules about what neighbours can and cannot do when it comes to fencing. Under the Fences Act 1968 […]
Repudiation & Denial of Access in TCM Building Group Pty Ltd v Grossi
In the world of domestic building disputes, it’s often the seemingly small decisions, such as refusing access for rectification, ignoring a progress certificate, or overlooking a notice requirement, that end up steering the entire outcome. The recent VCAT decision in TCM Building Group Pty Ltd v Grossi [2025] VCAT 941 (24 October 2025) is a […]